Senior Technical Designer - job 1 of 2

As a Senior Technical Designer at Alo, your primary responsibilities include leading the fitting process for various garment styles, managing and correcting fit from proto to pre-production stages, and effectively communicating technical garment changes to global vendors. You’ll utilize your expertise in fabric performance to ensure every piece meets our standards, while also taking the lead during fittings and sewing assembly discussions. Your creativity and attention to detail will be pivotal in assembling notes for garment adjustments and collaborating closely with designers during Proto reviews.

To qualify for the Senior Technical Designer role at Alo, candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in technical design, ideally within the fashion industry. A degree in fashion or a related field is essential. Additionally, candidates should have hands-on experience with sewing, garment patterns, and tools like Adobe Suite and PLM. Excellent communication skills are critical, as you’ll be working closely with various teams and vendors while juggling multiple projects across different seasons.

The base salary range for a Senior Technical Designer at Alo is between $105,000 and $125,000 per year. This range reflects the current compensation for this exempt position and factors such as location, experience, and performance can influence the final salary. Alo also offers a comprehensive rewards package, including performance bonuses, long-term incentives, a PTO policy, and other progressive benefits.

Alo is committed to the growth and development of its employees, including the Senior Technical Designer. You’ll be part of a collaborative environment that encourages learning and innovation. Through weekly meetings and open communication with design teams, you'll have the opportunity to share insights and contribute to creative solutions. Plus, Alo offers various professional development programs and resources to help you hone your skills and advance your career within the company.

The Senior Technical Designer role at Alo is based onsite in Commerce, California. This position involves working closely with a dynamic team, attending fittings, and participating in design discussions. You can expect a collaborative and creative environment where your expertise is valued. Alo promotes a work culture that prioritizes mindful movement and encourages a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.

In answering this question, highlight your specific experiences with garment fitting and adjustments. Discuss the types of garments you've worked with, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. It's also great to mention any tools or software you utilized and how they helped improve the fitting process.

Outline your communication strategies when working with vendors. Emphasize the importance of clarity and detail in specifications, using your experience to discuss how you ensure all parties understand the garment requirements. Share specific examples of successful collaborations where communication played a key role.

In your response, list the tools you are familiar with, such as PLM, Adobe Illustrator, and Clo 3D, and explain how you have used them in your past roles. Describe specific projects where these tools enhanced your workflow or improved garment outcomes.

Provide a detailed account of a challenging fitting issue you encountered. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, the steps you took to diagnose the issue, and the final outcome. Highlight your problem-solving skills and technical expertise in finding effective solutions.

Discuss the methods you use to stay current in the industry, like following fashion publications, attending trade shows, or joining professional organizations. Mention any specific technologies or design methodologies you’ve incorporated into your workflow that demonstrate your commitment to innovation.

Provide examples of how you managed time and prioritized tasks across multiple projects. Discuss any tools or systems you used for organization and how you communicated with your team to ensure alignment and timely progress.

Explain that you value constructive feedback as a vital aspect of the design process. Share how you integrate feedback from designers, vendors, and fitting sessions into your work, ensuring the final product aligns with the original vision while meeting functional requirements.

Talk about your thorough understanding of fabric types and their performance, taking into account factors like drape, stretch, durability, and care. Use examples from your experiences to illustrate how these considerations affect fit and overall garment quality.

In your answer, outline your process for organizing and leading fitting sessions. Detail how you prepare the samples, select fit models, take notes, and communicate observations to the design team. Highlight your leadership skills and how you ensure the sessions are productive.

Express your vision of success in this role, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, detailed communication, and a customer-centered approach. Reference Alo's values and how they align with your personal and professional ethos to showcase your potential fit within the company culture.